Is still Good, I'm even calmer! - Ronaldo II.(Serious discussion about his development)

I'd think it would be either Ronaldo or Defoe for player of the month.

 

Comparisons with Figo and Eusebio pop up every once in a while, but people are generally quick to realize that he is a completely different player, and comparisons can really only extend to their impact on the game.

 

Well...that is the hope. But the Portuguese are not likely to get their hopes up too much no matter how good they are looking. They have historic opponents where they don't fare well (Italy and France mainly), and cynicism is a very common attitude no matter how promising the prospects.

I personally believe that the team depends on a lot more than just Ronaldo to get us through, just like at Manchester United, where he depends heavily on a near perfect defense and strong central midfielders. However, since our central midfield has been aging and replacements have been pretty hard to solidify, I have doubts to how well we do, regardless of how well Ronaldo personally does.

 

I think you're underestimating the British press. There were plenty of critical articles before both the Liverpool and Roma games.
Most critics managed to paint themselves into a corner, though, with their "can't do it away in the big games" talk and so there wasn't really much they could say after Tuesday night. I'm sure a couple of indifferent performances will get them back on track.

Had he been British I do think they'd have lost it completely. For the same reason the Portuguese press is the last place I'd look for calm and impartial analysis. I say that without knowing anything about their press or even a word of Portugese, but I've seen how the Danish papers go over the top any time a Dane performs reasonably well and pretty much the same thing from the English about the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney so I don't imagine it would be too different in any other country.

Coverage from "neutral" countries is probably less likely to stray into hyperbole, but they're also less likely to have seen anything more than a few highlights from the league and a couple of CL matches so their opinions will be less informed.
Still, the coverage on Danish TV this week was no less laudatory than what I've read in the English papers.

 

That's a couple matches in a row where Ronaldo has looked a little less selfish and shown more awareness of both teammates and opponents. It really makes him a joy to watch, and makes the team look so much more balanced. I loved how he was celebrating Rooney's goal as well--more dramatic than celebrating his own. Really showed a hunger for the result.

 

He's maturing just in time for Euro 2008 to put an exclamation point to the end of this season which will hopefully end with us [him, and even his national team] getting trophies.

Its a shame that maybe his Portuguese teammates wont be able to match his ambitions.

 

Portugal are my bets for this years Euro's. In Carvalho, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Deco, Nani and Queresma they have a very skillful side built on strong foundations. Ronaldo will have all the support he needs. They are technically gifted enough to beat anyone. In 2004 Ronaldo was nowhere near the player he is now and they still reached the final of that competition. This year, along with Nani's development, they could pose a real threat to the bigger teams such as France, Spain, Holland, Italy and Germany etc.......




......oh, and Greece, obviously.

 

Greece runs our lives.

 

When is the last time Ferreira played? Deco? Costinha? They dont have a 9. I hope they win, just because of Ronaldo, but I just cant see them beating an Italy, or France.

 

What Benni said. Pauleta can score goals left and right in Ligue Une, but he won't do it on the big stage. Hell, does he even play anymore? Maybe Ronaldo will play as a forward for them, with Nani and Simao/Quaresma on the flanks, but I don't know if that's enough.

I still think one of the traditional powers will win this one - Croatia would have been a dark horse with Eduardo fit, but now it's just Italy/France....with those bottlers Spain looking good on paper as well.

 

Ferreira is being used as a makeshift LB on and off with competition, but Miguel has been tested on that side to make space for Bosingwa. Costinha hasn't been on the team for some time now and will likely be replaced on the 23 man roster by Manuel Fernandes. And still no 9....

Pauleta doesn't play anymore. The search for a 9 continues. Makukula has been featured, Almeida. Ronaldo was featured in that role too which was a very interesting lineup. Simao and Quaresma were on the flanks and Nani was playing in next to Miguel Veloso. However I doubt that will happen come summer....

and yes, France own us.

 

Unfortunately, until Portugal finds a bonafide, out-and-out striker on the international level, everything is going to have to ride on the shoulders of the already over-burdened wingers (C. Ronaldo, Quaresma, Nani, Bosingwa, Simao)

Especially in competitions like the Euro, strikers are absolutely critical. Although with the level that Ronaldo is playing at, maybe Portugal will do just fine. (I know I'll be cheering for them)

 

Very interesting decisions for Domenech to make with the French side this summer. There is a marked divide between two generations of players in the old guard of Thuram, Makelele, Vieira, Henry competing with the likes of Diarra, Toulalan, and Benzema. Thuram and Vieira have not looked particularly compelling this year but I just cannot see Domenech pulling the trigger and dropping them. I imagine France will lineup with Benzema, Henry and Ribery as an attacking trio with three defensive minded midfielders (Mak, Vieira, and Toulalan prob). It will be a very strong formation, but I'm excited to see the team in 2010 when these highly rated youngsters (Nasri, Ben Arfa, Benzema, Ribery, Diarra) gain some experience. I think they will be very, very good.

 

Was this a response to something, or did you just want to talk about France with no context?

 

Probably because we were discussing Portugal's chances in the Euros and Jake lives in France.

 

Of course, neither a discussion of Portugal's chances not France's are relevant for this thread.

 

agreed. Fuck Portugal. The sooner they are eliminated the better for us and Ronaldo return injury-free.